Thurday Bantering: Springer Hitting Leadoff

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Apr 30, 2026 - 22:37

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Thurday Bantering: Springer Hitting Leadoff

Apr 29, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (4) congratulates catcher Brandon Valenzuela (59) on hitting a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

George Springer is back in the lineup and hitting lead off in the first of four games against the Twins.

And Pinango is in the lineup too. It looks like they are going to give him some playing time. Brandon Valenzuela gets a start again, after a great game yesterday.

Austin Martin is having a great start to the season, with a .311/.476/.426 line in 27 games

Today’s Lineups

BLUE JAYS	TWINS
George Springer – DH	Byron Buxton – CF
Jesus Sanchez – RF	Trevor Larnach – LF
Vladimir Guerrero – 1B	Ryan Jeffers – C
Kazuma Okamoto – 3B	Josh Bell – DH
Daulton Varsho – CF	Austin Martin – RF
Ernie Clement – 2B	Kody Clemens – 1B
Yohendrick Pinango – LF	Luke Keaschall – 2B
Andres Gimenez – SS	Brooks Lee – SS
Brandon Valenzuela – C	Royce Lewis – 3B

Kevin Gausman – RHP	Bailey Ober – RHP

And there is a bunch of ‘injury news’:

Addison Barger will start a rehab assignment Sunday. It might be as short as three games.
Jose Berrios will throw his between start bullpen in Buffalo tomorrow and then they will decide if he will start against the Twins Sunday or have one more start with the Bisons.
Alejandro Kirk has started throwing the ball, but he won’t be hitting or catching for a bit yet.

The life of a manager:

Rob Thomson, when asked what he will do now after being fired by the Phillies: "I got no idea. I really have never spent a summer in 42 years at home, so I really don't know.
Thank God my wife put a pool in a couple years ago, so maybe I'll go for a swim or something.''— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 28, 2026